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“Women’s role in society has changed enormously, it was unusual for a woman to want to set her own business [..]
I kind of was really fortunate because I was on the crest of that change the whole time, I was part of that change.
I was one of the many women who wanted to have a job, wanted to have a career, wanted to be in charge of their existence, their lives, wanted to really take hold of their life and so that was important. So it was really wonderful and throughout my career I have seen the evolution of women in workforce.”
- Carla Zampatti AC
Sydney, April 2021
ICCIAUS Women’s Leadership Initiative - ICCIAUS to create and promote an award in memory of Carla Zampatti AC OMRI
In the wake of Carla Zampatti’s passing and her State funeral on Thursday 15th April 2021, the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Sydney (ICCIAUS) has established an award to honour her role as an entrepreneur and true innovator of the fashion industry and business world.
Ms Zampatti’s insights, intuition and sensitivity were vital in building her brand and her successful legacy as a businesswoman. ICCIAUS has been proud to have Carla among its members for 50 years, since 1971, and in 2009 to have awarded her with the Hall of Fame award, conferred to individuals who have contributed to and have been an asset for the Italian-Australian community through their work and personal dedication.
In 1980 Ms Zampatti was Australian Businesswoman of the Year and in 1987 she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for service to the fashion industry as a designer and manufacturer.
In 2004 the Government of Italy appointed her a Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 2008, Ms Zampatti was awarded the Australian Fashion Laureate Award, an initiative of the NSW Government and IMG Fashion recognising outstanding achievement and is the highest honour in the Australian fashion industry. She was also made a Companion of the Order of Australia in 2009 for her service through leadership and management roles in the fashion and retail property sectors, multicultural broadcasting, and as a role model and mentor to women.
Her deep commitment towards women’s empowerment and her Italian-Australian heritage always found great resonance in her professionalism. Thus, in a celebration of her life, her creativity and her work ethic, the Chamber will launch in June the “ICCIAUS Women’s Leadership Award – in honour of Carla Zampatti”, an initiative for young female entrepreneurs to advocate for women in leadership, advancement for women, promoting gender equality in the workplace and celebrating the influence and the importance of business relations between Australia and Italy.
The call for applications will be aimed at women under 45 whom have founded a business and with no limitations on the trade sector of reference, which could be from fashion to manufacturing, from technology to the food and beverage industry.
The finalists will be announced during the 2021 edition of the ICCIAUS Business Excellence Awards Gala night and, after a series of dedicated lectures and events with the runner-up’s participation, the winner will be announced and celebrated in March 2022, on International Women’s Day.
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